A tip to ease hand-foot syndrome side effects
Hand-foot syndrome, or Palmar Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE) can be a side effect of chemotherapy, as I found out. It is not a nerve thing - it is a skin toxicity associated with some chemo chemicals, including docetaxol which was part of my treatment. Symptoms can include redness, swelling and blistering.
On my third round I copped it badly from days 7 - 17. For three days I could hardly walk. Staff at my Cancer Centre suggested I use cold mitts during by fourth and last infusion. These look like giant oven mitts, including a gel/freezy layer with velco strapped around the wrist. Very cold but I just managed it.
After a bit of internet searching (I know, I know) my husband helped me to make my own cold mitts for home use for feet and hands. Ingredients were an old towel, masking tape, and a freezer/gel pack. I used this twice a day for about 15 minutes for each hand and food. I know I can't say for sure what prevented or helped, but I was so happy that I had no PPE symptoms during my last round.
I would be very interested to hear about other network members' experience of PPE, and your tips to help. Perhaps it is not a common side effect? Photos included for you to have a giggle. Best wishes to all from jennyss
On my third round I copped it badly from days 7 - 17. For three days I could hardly walk. Staff at my Cancer Centre suggested I use cold mitts during by fourth and last infusion. These look like giant oven mitts, including a gel/freezy layer with velco strapped around the wrist. Very cold but I just managed it.
After a bit of internet searching (I know, I know) my husband helped me to make my own cold mitts for home use for feet and hands. Ingredients were an old towel, masking tape, and a freezer/gel pack. I used this twice a day for about 15 minutes for each hand and food. I know I can't say for sure what prevented or helped, but I was so happy that I had no PPE symptoms during my last round.
I would be very interested to hear about other network members' experience of PPE, and your tips to help. Perhaps it is not a common side effect? Photos included for you to have a giggle. Best wishes to all from jennyss
